CN1731269A - camera device - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a high-functionality imaging apparatus capable of performing focus adjustment on an object which can be arbitrarily set. The imaging apparatus outputs an electric image signal of the object and comprises; an imaging optical system that includes a focusing lens group for performing focus adjustment and forms an optical image of the object; an imaging device that captures the optical image of the object and converts the optical image into an electric image signal; an image dividing part that divides the image signal into a plurality of areas; a color characteristic calculation part that calculates a color characteristic from the image signal for each of the areas; a preset color characteristic setting part that previously sets a preset color characteristic; an area selection part that selects at least one of the areas based on a result of a comparison between the preset color characteristic and each color characteristic calculated by the color characteristic calculation part; a focus information calculation part that calculates focus information of the imaging optical system for the selected area; and a lens driving part that drives the focusing lens group in a direction of an optical axis based on the focus information.

Description

camera device

Technical field

The present invention relates to imaging devices such as digital still cameras and digital video cameras, and more specifically, to imaging devices such as digital still cameras and digital video cameras with autofocus functions.

Background technique

Currently, imaging devices such as digital still cameras and digital video cameras equipped with imaging elements such as CCD and CMOS are rapidly spreading. The mainstream of these imaging devices is usually to detect the focus state based on the image signal of the captured object, and to move the focusing lens group included in the photographing optical system in the direction of the optical axis according to the detection result, thereby performing autofocus control.

As imaging devices become more multifunctional, high performance is required for autofocus control. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-37733 1 proposes an automatic focus for an imaging device that divides an image signal of an object to be captured into a plurality of AF areas, counts the number of pixels of skin color, and designates an AF area for focus adjustment. device.

In the autofocus device described in JP-A-2004-37733 1, a person is set as the main subject of photography. Specifically, the autofocus device described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-37733 is configured to make the focus area follow the person by performing focus control based on the skin color pixels, so that the person can always be accurately focused.

In the autofocus device described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-37733, since only a person is set as the main subject, there is a problem that focus tracking cannot be performed on other subjects. Digital still cameras and digital video cameras do not only take people as the main subject, so the autofocus device described in JP-A-2004-37733 cannot meet the requirements of users.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a high-performance imaging device capable of performing focus adjustment on an arbitrarily settable subject.

Contents of Invention

The object of the above invention can be achieved by the following imaging device. The imaging device of the present invention outputs an electrical image signal of an object to be captured, and is characterized in that it comprises: a focusing lens group for adjusting the focus, and an imaging optical system for forming an optical image of the object to be captured; the optical image of the object to be captured is captured, converted An image pickup element that is an electrical image signal; an image division unit that divides an image signal into a plurality of areas; a color information calculation unit that calculates color information for each area based on an image signal; a reference color information setting that presets reference color information part; according to the comparison result of the reference color information and the color information calculated by the color information calculation part, select at least one area selection part of each area; calculate the focus of the focus information of the imaging optical system for the selected area an information calculation unit; and a lens driving unit that drives the focusing lens group in the direction of the optical axis according to the focus information, and the color information and the reference color information are composed of at least one of information related to hue and information related to chromaticity.

Preferably, the reference color information is color information calculated by the color information calculating unit for the desired region divided by the image dividing unit based on the image signal captured in advance. As an example, it includes a display unit that displays an image based on the image signal, and a designated area color correction processing unit that corrects the color of the image signal to be displayed on the display unit based on the reference color information for the selected area.

Preferably, an image processing unit including a correction unit for correcting an image signal output from the imaging element based on reference color information is included, and the focus information calculation unit calculates focus information based on the corrected image signal. As an example, the correcting unit performs different correction on the image signal output from the imaging element than the image signal used for display or storage.

Preferably, the color information calculation section calculates the luminance for each area according to the image signal, and also includes: a luminance determination section for judging whether the calculated luminance is greater than a predetermined value; The selection prohibited section of the area whose luminance is greater than the specified value.

Preferably, it further includes an auxiliary light source for projecting auxiliary light on the subject when the lens drive unit drives the focusing lens group, and the color information calculation unit corrects the calculated color information based on the color of the auxiliary light.

Preferably, an information storage unit storing a plurality of reference color information is further included. Preferably, a display unit for displaying the plurality of reference color information stored in the information storage unit is further included.

Preferably, it further includes an information storage unit storing a plurality of pieces of reference color information and an image signal for displaying an image related to the reference color information. Preferably, it further includes a display unit for displaying at least one of the image based on the image signal stored in the information storage unit and the plurality of reference color information.

Preferably, the imaging device can be separated into an imaging device main body and an imaging optical part, the imaging optical part includes an imaging optical system, and the imaging device main body includes an imaging element, an image segmentation part, a color information calculation part, a reference color information setting part, an area selection part, focus information calculation part, and lens driving part.

Preferably, the imaging device can be separated into an imaging device main body and an imaging optical part, the imaging optical part includes an imaging optical system and a lens driving part, the imaging device main body includes an imaging element, an image segmentation part, a color information calculation part, a reference color information setting part, an area selection part, and a focus information calculation part.

The above object can be achieved by the following semiconductor integrated circuit. The semiconductor integrated circuit used in the imaging device of the present invention operates at least an image division unit, a color information calculation unit, a reference color information setting unit, an area selection unit, and a focus information calculation unit.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a high-performance imaging device capable of performing focus adjustment on an arbitrarily settable subject to be captured.

The above and other objects, features, methods and effects of the present invention will be further understood from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an imaging device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the rear surface of the main body of the imaging device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a flowchart of the setting of reference color information of an ingestion object in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of a display unit in which an object to be captured is reflected in the center according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

5 is a schematic diagram of a display unit in which an object to be captured and an area frame are reflected in the center in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an operation formula of hue and chroma information in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a graph of hue and chroma information in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing reference color information and hue and chroma information of a reference nearby area 1 in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing reference color information and hue and chroma information of a reference neighborhood area 2 in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of focus-following imaging processing in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram of a display unit showing an object to be captured and an area frame in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of a display unit showing two captured objects and an area frame in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a block diagram of an imaging device in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

14 is a detailed block diagram of an image processing unit in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart of the operation of focus-following imaging processing in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

Fig. 16 is a schematic diagram of a display unit showing an object to be captured and an area frame in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

17 is a characteristic diagram of a focus position and a contrast value before gain correction in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

18 is a characteristic diagram of a focus position and a contrast value after gain correction in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

Fig. 19 is a block diagram of an imaging device in Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing the operation of focus-following imaging processing in Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

Fig. 21 is a block diagram of an imaging device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

Fig. 22 is a detailed block diagram of an image processing unit in Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

Fig. 23 is a workflow flowchart of setting the reference color information of the captured object in Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

Fig. 24 is a schematic diagram of a display unit showing an object to be captured and an area frame in Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

Fig. 25 is a block diagram of an imaging device according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

Fig. 26 is a detailed block diagram of an image processing unit in Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

Fig. 27 is a workflow flowchart of setting the reference color information of the captured object in Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

Fig. 28 is a schematic diagram of a display unit showing an object to be captured, an area frame, and a reference image (1) in Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

Fig. 29 shows an example of a data table stored in the reference information setting unit (48).

Fig. 30 is a schematic diagram of a display unit showing an object to be captured, an area frame, and reference images (1 and 2) in Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

Fig. 31 is a flow chart of the operation of focus-following imaging processing in Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

Fig. 32 is a schematic diagram of a display unit showing an imaging object, an area frame, and reference imaging objects (1 to 3) in Embodiment 5 of the present invention.

Detailed ways

(Embodiment 1)

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an imaging device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The imaging device of Embodiment 1 includes a lens barrel 11, a zoom lens system 12 as an imaging optical system, a CCD 14 as an imaging element, an image processing unit 15, an image memory 16, a display unit 17, an operation unit 19, an auxiliary light source 20, a lens drive unit 21 and system controller 30 .

A zoom lens system 12 is held inside the lens barrel 11 . The zoom lens system 12 is an imaging optical system capable of changing the magnification of an optical image of an object to be captured. The zoom lens system 12 is composed of a zoom lens group 12a and a zoom lens group 12b that move along the optical axis when changing the magnification, and a focus lens group 13 that moves along the optical axis to adjust the focus state in order from the subject.

The CCD 14 is an imaging element that captures an optical image formed by the zoom lens system 12 at a predetermined timing, converts it into an electrical image signal, and outputs it. The image processing unit 15 is a processing unit that applies predetermined image processing such as white balance correction and γ correction to the image signal output from the CCD 14 . The image memory 16 temporarily stores the image signal output from the image processing unit 15 .

The display unit 17 is typically a liquid crystal display, and according to the instructions output by the system controller 30 mentioned below, the image signal output by the CCD 14 or the image signal stored in the image memory 16 is input through the image processing unit 15, and the image signal can be used as an image signal. The view is displayed to the user. On the other hand, the image processing unit 15 can perform bidirectional access to the memory card 18 which can be attached and detached by the user. The memory card 18 inputs and stores the image signal output by the CCD 14 or the image signal stored in the image memory 16 through the image processing part 15 according to the instruction output by the system controller 30 mentioned below, or the stored image is stored by the image processing part 15. The signal is output to the image memory 16 for temporary storage.

The operation unit 19 is provided outside the main body of the imaging device, and is a button or the like for the user to set or operate the main body of the imaging device. In addition, the operation unit 19 includes a plurality of operation buttons, but the details will be described later with reference to FIG. 2 . The auxiliary light source 20 is typically an LED, and is a light-emitting element that illuminates the side of the subject to be photographed in accordance with an instruction from the system controller 30 described below when the light in the imaging environment is insufficient.

The lens drive unit 21 outputs a drive signal for driving the focus lens group 13 in the optical axis direction (A direction or B direction) according to an instruction from a lens position control unit 33 of the system controller 30 described below.

The system controller 30 is implemented by a semiconductor integrated circuit and includes an image segmentation unit 31 , a focus state calculation unit 32 , a lens position control unit 33 , a color information calculation unit 34 , a reference color information setting unit 35 , and an area selection unit 36 . The image dividing unit 31 performs a process of dividing the image signal output from the image memory 16 into a plurality of regions. The focus information calculation unit 32 calculates a defocus amount from the image signal divided into a plurality of areas by the image division unit 31 based on the contrast information of each area and the position information of the focus lens group 13 .

The lens position control unit 33 generates a control signal for controlling the position of the focus lens 13 based on the defocus amount output by the focus information calculation unit 32 , and outputs it to the lens drive unit 21 . On the other hand, the lens position control unit 33 outputs position information when the focus lens 13 is driven by the lens driving unit 21 to the in-focus state calculation unit 32 . At this time, the focus state calculation unit 32 can calculate the defocus amount based on the position information and contrast information of the focus lens 13 .

The color information calculating unit 34 calculates color information for each area from the image signal divided into a plurality of areas by the image dividing unit 31 . The reference color information setting unit 35 calculates and stores color information of an area selected by the user among the color information of each area output from the color information calculating unit 34 , and performs reference color information setting processing. In addition, the color information calculation unit 34 includes a nonvolatile memory, and can store temporarily stored reference color information even when the main body power of the imaging device is turned off.

The area selection unit 36 compares the color information of each area output by the color information calculation unit 34 with the color information output by the reference color information setting unit 35, selects a substantially identical area, and assigns the position of the selected area to The output is sent to the focus information calculation unit 32 to perform focus follow imaging processing. That is, when the reference color information setting unit 35 performs focus-follow imaging processing, it reads out the stored color information and outputs it to the area selection unit 36 .

Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the rear surface of the main body of the imaging device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The imaging device according to Embodiment 1 includes an imaging device main body 10 , a display unit 17 , an operation unit 19 , and a viewfinder (finder) 10 a.

The viewfinder 10a is an optical system that optically images the subject in the user's pupil. The display unit 17 is the liquid crystal display described above, and displays the captured image signal as a visible image to the user. The operation unit 19 is composed of a shutter button 19a, a cursor key 19b, an enter button 19c, and a menu button 19d.

The shutter button 19 a starts focus-following imaging processing when the user presses it halfway, and performs a function of storing a captured image in a memory card when the user presses it fully. The cursor keys 19 b are operable to select items and their contents from among menus of various work modes displayed on the display section 17 . The determination button 19c is operable to determine the content selected by the cursor 19b. The menu button 19d is operable to perform menu display of various operating modes conventional to the main body of the camera.

Among the menu items of the various operation modes, the display unit 17 described below includes a process of whether to start storing color information of the captured image signal (reference color information setting). When the user operates the menu button 19d, a menu related to the start of the reference color information setting process is displayed on the display unit 17, and the cursor key 19b accepts the selection of the content according to the user's operation. In this state, the user operates the cursor key 19b to select to start the reference color information setting process, and presses the OK button 19c to start the reference color information setting process by the reference color information setting unit 35 .

Fig. 3 is a flowchart of the setting of reference color information of an ingestion object in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The flow chart shown in FIG. 3 represents the flow of work of the program operating on the system controller 30 . On the other hand, FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the display unit in which the ingestion object is reflected in the center in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and shows an example in which the ingestion object P1 is reflected in the center of the display unit 17 . On the other hand, FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the display unit showing the captured object and the area frame at the center in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, showing an example of displaying 7×7 area frames for the captured object. When the mode of the reference color information is set with the menu button 19d and the determination button 19c, the process from the start of the reference color information setting process can be started.

In step S101 , the image signal picked up by the CCD 14 is output from the image processing unit 15 , and both the visible image and the area frame are displayed on the display unit 17 . At this time, the image displayed on the display unit 17 is in a display state in which both the visible image and the area frame overlap each other, as shown in FIG. 5 . Furthermore, the image signal input from the image memory 16 to the image dividing unit 31 of the system controller 30 is divided for each area.

In step S102, it is in a state of waiting for an input of whether or not to select an area frame. In this case, a specific area can be displayed surrounded by a thick line frame, indicating that selection is possible. The user can use the cursor keys 19b to move the area framed by thick lines. For example, if the user moves the region framed by thick lines to the center and presses the OK button 19c, the center region frame A1 is selected, and the process proceeds to step S103.

In step S103, the color information calculation unit 34 calculates the color information of the divided image displayed in the selected area (here, the area framed by a thick line), and proceeds to the process of step S104.

In step S104, the reference information setting unit 35 stores the calculated color information, and ends the reference color information setting process.

FIG. 6 is an operation formula of hue and chroma information in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Next, the principle of calculation of the hue and chroma information by the color information calculation unit 34 described in step S103 will be described. In addition, red (hereinafter referred to as "R"), green (hereinafter referred to as "G"), and blue (hereinafter referred to as "B") represent image signals, and R, G, and B are respectively formed into 256 grayscales for description.

Calculation of hue and chroma information can be performed in the color information calculation section 34 . First, the color information calculation unit 34 obtains the maximum value of R, G, and B from the divided image signal output from the image division unit 31, and sets the obtained maximum value to V (Expression 1). Next, the color information calculation unit 34 calculates the minimum value of the divided image signal output from the image division unit 31 , and subtracts the obtained minimum value from V to obtain d (Expression 2). In addition, the color information calculation unit 34 obtains the chromaticity S from V and d (Expression 3).

If the saturation S=0, the color information calculation unit 34 sets the hue H=0 (Formula 4). On the other hand, when the chromaticity S is a value other than 0, the color information calculation unit 34 performs predetermined processing to calculate the hue (Expression 5 to Expression 7). Here, the so-called predetermined processing means that when the maximum value of R, G, and B is equal to R, use Equation 5 to obtain hue H, when it is equal to G, use Equation 6 to obtain hue H, and when it is equal to B, use Equation 7 Seek the processing of hue H.

Finally, when the obtained hue H is a negative value, the color information calculation unit 34 adds 360 to convert it to a positive value (Expression 8). As described above, the color information calculation unit 34 calculates the hue and chroma information of the divided image signal by calculation.

Fig. 7 is a graph of hue and chroma information in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 7 , the chromaticity S is equivalent to the radial direction of the drawing, let the center be S=0, and plot to increase toward the periphery S in the range of 0 to 255. In addition, the hue H in FIG. 7 corresponds to the direction of rotation, and is represented by a numerical value of 0 to 359 along the direction of rotation.

For example, if the color information of the divided image signal is R=250, G=180, and B=120, the color information calculation section 34 can use the above-mentioned formulas to obtain V=250, d=250-120=130, and the chromaticity S=130×255/250=133, hue H=(180-120)×60/133=27.

As described above, the color information calculation unit 34 calculates the chroma and hue of the divided image signal. The calculated chromaticity and hue can be output to the reference color information setting unit 35 as reference color information for storage. Next, the reference neighborhood area set adjacent to the reference color information will be described.

The reference color information calculated by the color information calculation unit 34 is stored in the reference color information setting unit 35, and can be used as reference information for judging the color information corresponding to the captured object to be captured at any time. However, sometimes even the same captured object will have subtle changes in the captured color information due to factors such as illumination light and exposure time. Therefore, when comparing the reference color information with the color information of the object to be ingested, it is preferable to make the reference color information have a fixed allowable range for consistency judgment. Hereinafter, a fixed allowable range of the reference color information is referred to as a reference nearby area.

An example of the calculation of the reference nearby area is given below. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing reference color information and hue and chroma information of a reference nearby area 1 in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 8 , points plotted as reference color information ( H1 , S1 ) correspond to color information stored in the reference color information setting unit 35 . In addition, the reference color information indicates hue H=27 (= H1 ) and chroma S=130 (= S1 ) obtained when R=250, G=180, and B=120 previously calculated as an example.

The reference vicinity area 1 is an area in which allowable ranges are defined for each of the stored reference color information ( H1 , S1 ). Let the allowable range of hue ΔH=10 and the allowable range of chroma ΔS=30, then the reference area 1 is equivalent to the area where the hue is H1±10 and the chroma is S1±30. In Fig. 8 there are two arcs and two The area enclosed by the line segments in the radial direction of the bar.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing reference color information and hue and chroma information of a reference neighborhood area 2 in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 9 , points plotted as reference color information ( H1 , S1 ) correspond to the color information stored in the reference color information setting unit 35 . In addition, the reference color information indicates hue H=27 (= H1 ) and chroma S=130 (= S1 ) obtained when R=250, G=180, and B=120 previously calculated as an example.

The reference neighborhood area 2 is the entire range of chromaticity from 0 to 255, and is defined by the allowable range ΔH of hue. That is to say, the reference nearby range 2 is equivalent to the area with the hue of H1±10, which is a fan-shaped area surrounded by a circular arc and a line segment in the radial direction in FIG. 9 .

In the two examples described above, a uniform tonal allowable range is set, but the present invention is not limited thereto. When using an auxiliary light source, etc., by correcting the range of the referenced color information based on the hue information of the light source, the reference range can be accurately defined even when the imaging device is used in a place with insufficient light. For example, when using a red auxiliary light source such as an LED, it can be corrected by shifting H1 to 0.

The two examples described above are examples in which the captured color information of the subject is stored in the reference color information setting unit 35, but they are not limited thereto. For example, some reference color information such as skin color may also be pre-stored in the main body of the camera.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of focus-following imaging processing in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram of a display unit showing an object to be captured and an area frame in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of a display unit showing two captured objects and an area frame in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The focus follow imaging process of the imaging device according to Embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12 .

The operation flowchart shown in FIG. 10 shows the flow of programs operating on the system controller 30 . In FIG. 10 , when the user presses the shutter button 19 a halfway, the focus-following imaging process starts.

In step S151 , the image signal captured by the CCD and subjected to predetermined image processing by the image processing unit 15 is displayed on the display unit 17 together with the area frame. At this time, the imaging target P1 and 7×7 area frames are displayed on the display unit 17 as shown in FIG. 11 .

Next, in step S152, according to the reference color information stored in the reference color information setting part 35, use one of the methods described in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 to calculate the reference nearby area, and judge the output of the color information calculation part 34 Whether the color information of each area is within the reference nearby area. If there is an area having color information close to the reference color information, the process proceeds to step S153, and if not, the process proceeds to step S158.

In step S153, it is judged whether there is one region with color information close to the reference color information, if there is one, proceed to step S156, if there are two or more regions, proceed to step S154.

In the example using FIG. 11 , there is only one area (area A4 ) whose color information is close to the reference color information, and the processing proceeds to step S156 . In step S156, the focusing lens group 13 is driven in the A direction or the B direction in FIG. 1 by the focus information calculation unit 32, the lens position control unit 33, and the lens driving unit 21. Then, the focus information calculation unit 32 calculates the focus position (focus position) with the highest contrast value in the area A1 based on the focus position and the contrast signal generated from the image signal, and outputs a control signal to the lens position control unit 33 .

In step S157, the lens position control unit 33 and the lens driving unit 21 defocus the focus lens 13 to the in-focus position obtained by the focus information calculation unit 32 in the process of step S156 in the selected area (area A1). Amount of focus on this action, and enter the following step S160.

In the example of FIG. 12 , there are two areas (areas A2 and A3 ) whose color information is close to the reference color information, and the process proceeds to step S154 . In step S154, the focusing lens group 13 is driven in the direction A or the direction B in FIG. Then, the focus information calculation unit 32 calculates the focus position (focus position) with the highest contrast value in each of areas A2 and A3 based on the focus position and the contrast signal generated from the image signal, and outputs a control signal to the lens position control unit 33 .

In step S155, the closest area (here, area A3) is selected from among the defocus amounts obtained by the focus information calculation unit 32 in the process of step S154 to the in-focus position of each area, and the lens position control unit 33, The lens drive unit 21 performs an operation of focusing the focus lens 13 on the selected area (area A3), and proceeds to the following step S160. In addition, although an example of focusing on the closest area has been described, it is also possible to focus on an area near the center with priority.

In step S152, when there is no region having color information close to the reference color information, the process proceeds to step S158. In step S158, the focusing lens group 13 is driven in the direction A or the direction B in FIG. Then, the focus information calculation unit 32 calculates the focus position with the highest contrast value for the entire area based on the focus position and the contrast signal generated from the image signal.

In step S159, the closest area is selected from among the defocus amounts to the in-focus position of each area obtained by the in-focus information calculation unit 32 in the process of step S158, and the lens position control unit 33 and the lens driving unit 21 are used to perform The operation of focusing the focus lens 13 on the selected area proceeds to the following step S160. Here, although the example of focusing on the closest area is described, it is also possible to focus on an area near the center with priority.

In step S160, it is determined whether or not the shutter button 19a is fully pressed, and if it is fully pressed, the process proceeds to the following step S161. When the shutter button 19a is released, all the above processes are redone. In step S161, when the shutter button 19a is fully pressed, according to the command output from the system controller 30, an imaging process of storing the image signal output from the image memory 16 or the image processing unit 15 in the memory card is performed, and the focus follow imaging is terminated. deal with.

As described above, according to the imaging device according to Embodiment 1, focus adjustment is performed based on the color information of the subject which can be set arbitrarily, so that it is easy to perform focus follow on the subject which the user desires to focus on. In this case, the color information of the object to be captured can be arbitrarily set by the user, and the function of the imaging device can be improved. Furthermore, since the color information is composed of hue and chroma, it is possible to follow the focus on the subject that the user wants to focus on without being affected by the brightness.

In addition, in Embodiment 1, an example using 7×7 area frames was described, but the setting of the area frames is arbitrary and may be set appropriately. For example, a plurality of area frames may be arranged near the center of the display unit 17, or one area frame may be arranged.

(Embodiment 2)

Fig. 13 is a block diagram of an imaging device in Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The imaging device according to Embodiment 2 has substantially the same configuration as the imaging device according to Embodiment 1. Therefore, components having the same functions as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 13 , when the reference color information setting unit 45 performs the reference color information setting process, it calculates the area selected by the user among the color information of each area output by the color information calculation unit 34 of the imaging device according to Embodiment 1. color information to store. Furthermore, the reference color information setting processing unit 45 reads out the stored color information and outputs it to the area selection unit 36 when performing focus-follow imaging processing. The reference color information setting processing unit 45 also outputs correction information to the image processing unit 55 when performing focus follow imaging processing. The imaging device according to Embodiment 2 can improve the focus accuracy on the subject to be captured based on the color information obtained by the color information calculation unit 34 as described below.

14 is a detailed block diagram of an image processing unit in Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In FIG. 14, the image processing unit 55 includes an AGC 55a, an R, G, and B gain correction unit 55b, a white balance correction unit 55c, a γ correction unit 55d, and an image correction processing unit 55e.

AGC55a is an AGC (automatic gain control) circuit which automatically corrects the gain of the image signal picked up by CCD14. The white balance correction unit 55c corrects the white balance of the captured image signal. The γ correction unit 55d performs γ correction on the captured image signal. The image correction processing unit 55e corrects pixel flaws and the like existing in the image signal. The R, G, and B gain correction unit 55 b corrects the gains of the R, G, and B colors according to the correction information output by the reference color information setting unit 45 .

The pixel correction processing unit 55 e outputs the image information to the image memory 16 , and uses an image signal for storing it in a memory card or displaying it on the display unit 17 at the time of imaging. The R, G, B gain correction unit 55 b also outputs image information to the image memory 16 , and this image signal can be used for color information calculation and contrast calculation for controlling the drive of the focus lens group 13 .

FIG. 15 is a flow chart of the operation of focus-following imaging processing in Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Next, the operation of the imaging device according to Embodiment 2 will be described.

The following describes the workflow of the focus-following imaging process of the imaging device in the second embodiment ( FIG. 10 ) by using an example of adding step S161 to the workflow of the focus-following imaging process described in the first embodiment. Where the described processing is repeated, description is omitted. In addition, this work flow chart also shows the flow of programs that operate on the system controller 50 . As in the first embodiment, when the user presses the shutter button 19a halfway, the focus follow imaging process can be started.

In the imaging device according to Embodiment 2, when there is an area having color information close to the reference color information in step S152, the process proceeds to step S161 shown in FIG. 15 . In the imaging device according to Embodiment 2, a reference neighborhood area 2 shown in FIG. 9 is defined. As an example, the chromaticity is set to the entire range of 0 to 255, and the hue and its allowable range ΔH are H1=0, ΔH=30. Also, let the allowable range of hue be H=±30 as a reference range. In other words, the description will be made with the red-based color as a reference nearby area.

In step S161, after performing the pixel gain correction processing, it returns to the processing of step S153 in the flowchart (FIG. 10 ) of the first embodiment. The characteristic part of the imaging device according to Embodiment 2, that is, image gain correction processing will be described in detail below.

The imaging device according to Embodiment 2 is characterized in that two systems of image processing are performed on the image signal output from the imaging element. That is, the white balance correction unit 55c and the γ correction unit 55d of the image processing unit 55 correct the level of each color of the image signal from the CCD 14 so that the captured image looks more natural and vivid. On the other hand, the R, G, and B gain correction unit 55b of the image processing unit 55 corrects the contrast information used when calculating the defocus amount by performing image processing alone for focus adjustment so that it is easy to focus on the image that the user wants to capture. The ingest object of the color.

Fig. 16 is a schematic diagram of a display unit showing an object to be captured and an area frame in Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The display unit 17 displays the reddish-colored petals P3 in the front and the greenish-colored leaves P4 in the back as capture objects, and shows a state where a total of 7×7 area frames are displayed.

Fig. 17 is a characteristic diagram of focus position and contrast value before gain correction in Embodiment 2 of the present invention, showing the area A5 (3×3 area frames containing calculated color information) of the subject area A5 before gain correction of R, G, and B Inside, the relationship between the focus position and the average contrast value of the average contrast information of 3×3 area frames (area frame for AF) is calculated. It can be seen from FIG. 17 that the petals reflected in the front have a large contrast value at the focus position X1, and the leaves reflected at the depth have a focus position with a large contrast value at X2.

Normally, both the white balance correction unit 55c and the γ correction unit 55d perform level correction on the image signals of the respective colors output from the CCD 14 so that the captured image looks more natural and vivid. Therefore, when the characteristics of both the focus position and the contrast value are obtained from the image signal corrected by the white balance correction unit 55c and the γ correction unit 55d, it is not necessary to focus only on the focus position desired by the user.

In the example of the captured object in Figure 17, regardless of whether the captured object the user wants to focus on is a petal, the leaf with a high contrast value and reflected in the depth will always be focused, but the petal in front cannot be focused.

Therefore, in the imaging device according to the second embodiment, the reference color information desired by the user (the range of H=±30) is stored in the reference color information setting unit 45 in advance, and the reference color information and the color information calculated by the calculation unit 34 are performed. The comparison process between the color information of each of the 3×3 areas in the area A5. Then, when there is a matching area in the comparison result (the matching area frames are A6 and A7 in the example of FIG. 17), the reference color information setting unit 45 outputs correction information to the image processing unit 55 so that R, G, and B gains can be corrected. The R level in the portion 55b is raised, while the levels of the other colors are lowered.

18 is a characteristic diagram of the focus position and contrast value after gain correction in Embodiment 2 of the present invention, showing the relationship between the focus position and the average contrast value of the area A5 to be captured after R, G, and B gain correction. As can be seen from FIG. 18 , by performing gain correction using the correction information, the contrast value of the front red petals increases and the contrast value of the deep green leaves decreases. As a result, it is possible to focus on the petal of the ingestion target that the user wants to focus on even in the example of the ingestion target in FIG. 17 .

As described above, according to the imaging device according to the second embodiment, the gain of the divided image in the captured image signal is corrected for focusing based on the color information stored in advance, so that the user can easily focus on the captured object desired by the user. .

In addition, when setting the reference color information in Embodiment 2, it is preferable to return the gain of each color of R, G, and B to a predetermined initial setting value and set it. The reproducibility of the reference color information can be ensured by setting the reference color information using the initial setting value.

Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the R, G, B gain correction unit 55b may add a process of correcting pixel flaws and the like existing in the image signal. By adding this processing, focus follow performance can be improved.

In Embodiment 2, however, the configuration of 3×3 area frames including the unit of calculated color information has been described, but a plurality of area frames may be arranged on the display unit 17, and the area frame and the area for calculating reference color information may also be arranged. The frame is roughly the same.

Furthermore, after the processing of step S161 in FIG. 15 , the flow for performing the selection processing of a plurality of regions described with reference to FIG. 10 in Embodiment 1 is connected, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in order to improve the focusing accuracy of the imaged object of the color desired by the user, a plurality of area selection processing functions in Embodiment 1 may be provided.

(Embodiment 3)

Fig. 19 is a block diagram of an imaging device in Embodiment 3 of the present invention. The imaging device according to Embodiment 3 has substantially the same configuration as the imaging device according to Embodiment 1. Therefore, components having the same functions as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 19, the luminance determination unit 37 inputs the color information output from the color information calculation unit 34, and outputs the output after determining whether the luminance is saturated based on each region V obtained by Equation 1 shown in FIG. 6 . The selection prohibition unit 38 transmits prohibition information to the area selection unit 46 so as not to select the area whose luminance is saturated determined by the luminance determination unit 37 as an in-focus area.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing the operation of focus-following imaging processing in Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Next, the working flow chart of the focus-following imaging process of the imaging device according to Embodiment 3 will be described as an example in which steps S171 and S172 are added to the working flow chart (FIG. 10 ) of the focus-following imaging process described in Embodiment 1. The description of parts that overlap with the processing described in Embodiment 1 will be omitted. In addition, this work flow chart also shows the flow of programs operating on the system controller 60 . As in the first embodiment, when the user presses the shutter button 19a halfway, the focus-following imaging process starts.

In Embodiment 2, after step S151, it progresses to step S171. In step S171, if there is a luminance saturated area, the process proceeds to step S172, and if there is no luminance saturated area, the process returns to step S152.

As an example, a case where V is 255 in the area A6 of the captured image signal and the luminance is saturated will be described. In step S171 , the brightness judging unit 37 judges that the brightness in the area A6 is saturated, and outputs the judgment result to the selection inhibiting unit 38 . In step S172, the selection prohibition unit 38 outputs prohibition information to the area selection unit 46 to avoid selection of the area A8 as the in-focus area, and the process returns to step S152.

As a result, focused areas with saturated brightness are not used for focus adjustments. Therefore, the imaging device according to Embodiment 3 does not calculate focusing information from a saturated image signal using erroneous contrast information or color information, so false focusing does not occur.

As described above, according to the imaging device according to Embodiment 3, since the focus area with saturated brightness is not used for focusing, false focus does not occur, and the focus lens group can be moved correctly.

(Embodiment 4)

Fig. 21 is a block diagram of an imaging device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. The imaging device according to Embodiment 4 has substantially the same configuration as the imaging device according to Embodiment 1. Therefore, components having the same functions as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 21 , when the reference color information setting section 47 performs the reference color information setting process, it calculates and stores the color information of the area selected by the user among the color information of each area output by the color information calculation section 34, and stores the color information of the area. The area position and the calculated color information are output to the image processing unit 56 . Furthermore, the reference color information setting unit 47 reads out the stored color information when performing focus-follow imaging processing, and outputs it to the area selection unit 36 .

Furthermore, when the reference color information setting unit 47 performs focus-follow imaging processing, correction information is output from the reference color information setting unit 47 to the image processing unit 56 . Note that this correction information is the same as that of the imaging device according to Embodiment 2 described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14 , and its detailed description will be omitted.

Fig. 22 is a detailed block diagram of an image processing unit in Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In FIG. 22 , the image processing unit 56 has substantially the same configuration as the image processing unit 55 of Embodiment 2, and therefore components having the same functions are given the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The specific area color correction processing unit 55f corrects the color of the designated area based on the area position information output from the reference color information setting unit 47 and the calculated color information. The image signal is output to the image memory 16 after being corrected by the specified area color correction processing unit 55f.

Fig. 23 is a flow chart of the operation of reference color information setting processing in Embodiment 4 of the present invention. Next, the working flow chart of the focus-following imaging process of the imaging device in Embodiment 4 will be described as an example of adding step S181 to the working flow chart (FIG. 3) of the reference color information setting process described in Embodiment 1. The description of parts that overlap with the processing described in Embodiment 1 will be omitted. In addition, this work flow chart also shows the flow of programs operating on the system controller 70 . Similar to Embodiment 1, the reference color information setting process can be started by the user operating the cursor key 19b, the OK button 19c, the menu button 19d, and the like.

After the color information of the selected area is calculated in step S103, the process of step S181 shown in FIG. 23 is performed, and the process returns to step S104. In step S181, the position information and color information of the area selected by the reference color information setting unit 47 are sent to the designated area color correction processing unit 55f, and color correction processing is performed on the designated area.

Fig. 24 is a schematic diagram of a display unit showing an object to be captured and an area frame in Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In the imaging device according to Embodiment 4, when step S181 is executed, the display state shown in FIG. 24 is established, and the color in the area A1 framed by a thick line is replaced with the reference color information. In this case, it is preferable not to replace the entire area A1 with the reference color information, but to preserve the outline and the like by extracting the edge of the object to be captured, so as not to impair user operability. Next, in step S104, the color information calculated by the reference color information setting unit 46 is stored, and the reference color information setting process ends.

In this way, according to the imaging device of Embodiment 4, single color information referred to in the case of reference color information is displayed on the display screen in comparison with the subject to be captured, so that it can be checked whether the user's desired color information can be extracted.

In addition, in Embodiment 4, it was explained that both the referenced area and the area displaying the referenced single-color information are formed to have the same size, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, it is possible to compare each pixel with the referenced color information, and replace pixels with adjacent color information with the referenced color information. Moreover, not limited to the referenced color information, it may be replaced with a color with high chroma such as red, green, and blue, or with color information with high visibility such as a complementary color to the reference color information.

(Embodiment 5)

Fig. 25 is a block diagram of an imaging device according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. The imaging device according to Embodiment 5 has substantially the same configuration as the imaging device according to Embodiment 1. Therefore, components having the same functions as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 25 , when the reference color information setting section 48 performs the reference color information setting process, it calculates and stores the color information of the area selected by the user among the color information of each area output by the color information calculation section 34, and stores The area position and the calculated color information are output to the image processing unit 57 . Furthermore, the reference color information setting unit 48 reads out the color information selected by the user among the stored color information when performing focus-follow imaging processing, and outputs it to the area selection unit 36 .

Furthermore, when the reference color information setting unit 48 performs focus-follow imaging processing, correction information is output from the reference color information setting unit 48 to the image processing unit 57 . Note that this correction information is the same as that of the imaging device according to Embodiment 2 described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14 , and its detailed description will be omitted.

Fig. 26 is a detailed block diagram of an image processing unit in Embodiment 5 of the present invention. In FIG. 26 , the image processing unit 57 has substantially the same configuration as the image processing unit 55 of Embodiment 2, and therefore components having the same functions are assigned the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The thumbnail processing unit 55 g outputs the image signal of the subject to be captured referred to for focus follow imaging processing to the image memory 16 based on the area position information and the reference color information output from the reference color information setting unit 48 . The image memory 16 stores the image signal output from the sample processing unit 55g. At this time, the image signal stored in the image memory 16 is displayed on the display unit 17 as a reference image for selecting color information to be used for focus follow during focus follow. Hereinafter, the image signal stored in the image memory 16 may be output from the sample processing unit 55g in order to distinguish it from the image signal stored in the image memory 16 during normal shooting, and is referred to as a reference image signal.

By storing a plurality of reference image signals in the image memory 16 and displaying the reference image signals stored in the image memory 16 on the display unit 17, the user can arbitrarily select the subject to focus on and follow. will be described below. Note that the thumbnail processing unit 55g does not perform thumbnail processing during normal shooting or normal monitor display on the display unit. Therefore, in this case, the image signal is directly output from the pixel correction processing unit 55 e to the image memory 16 .

Furthermore, when storing the reference image signal in the image memory 16, a non-volatile storage area can be reserved in the image memory 16, and the reference image signal can be compressed or frame-decimated and stored. This makes it possible to store multiple reference image signals with a minimum capacity.

Fig. 27 is a flow chart of the operation of reference color information setting processing in Embodiment 5 of the present invention. In the following, steps S201, S202, and S203 are added to the workflow flowchart of the reference color information setting process of the imaging device in Embodiment 5 as the workflow flowchart of the reference color information setting process described in Embodiment 1 (FIG. 3). An example of the processing will be described, and descriptions of parts that overlap with the processing described in Embodiment 1 will be omitted. In addition, this work flow chart also shows the flow of programs operating on the system controller 80 . Similar to Embodiment 1, the reference color information setting process can be started by the user operating the cursor key 19b, the OK button 19c, the menu button 19d, and the like.

In step S201, it is in a waiting state for selecting and inputting one of the image displayed in the area frame and the image displayed in the entire screen of the display unit 17 as a reference image to be recorded. At this time, a specific area (area frame or the entire screen frame) is displayed surrounded by a thick line frame, showing an optional situation. The user can move the area framed by thick lines with the cursor keys 19b. For example, once the user moves the area framed by thick lines to the area frame and presses the OK button 19c, the user can choose to record the image displayed in the area frame, and proceed to the process of step S202.

In step S202 , the image signal within the area frame is stored in the image memory 16 as a reference image signal, and a reference image based on the reference image signal stored in the image memory 16 is displayed on the display unit 17 .

In step S201, once the user moves the thick-line frame area to the entire screen and presses the OK button 19c, the recording of the image signal of the entire screen can be selected, and the process of step S203 is entered.

In step S203 , the image signal in the entire screen is stored in the image memory 16 as a reference image signal, and the reference image signal stored in the image memory 16 is displayed on the display unit 17 .

Next, a specific display example of the imaging device of this embodiment and the operation of the imaging device will be described. Fig. 28 is a schematic diagram of a display unit showing an object to be captured, an area frame, and a reference image 1 in Embodiment 5 of the present invention, showing an example of displaying 7×7 area frames on an object to be captured P1. In the case of setting the mode of the reference color information with the menu button 19d and the determination button 19c, the processing starts from the start of the reference color information setting processing in FIG. The process proceeds to step S201 in FIG. 27 using the color information calculated by the reference information setting unit 48 .

In step S201, it is in a waiting state for selecting and inputting one of the image displayed in the frame of the area A1 and the image in the entire screen of the display unit 17 to be recorded as a reference image. Here, the user selects an image displayed within the frame of the area A1. When an image within the frame of the area A1 is selected, the process proceeds to the next step S202.

In step S202, the image signal within the frame of the area A1 is stored in the image memory 16, and a reference image is displayed on the display unit 17 as shown in FIG. 28 . The reference image is displayed in a reference image display frame shown on the lower side of the display unit 17 . In the example shown in FIG. 28, there are seven reference image display frames on the lower side of the display unit 17, and one of the reference image display frames (area C1) displays the image displayed in the frame of area A1 as a reference image. Then, the reference color information setting process ends.

In addition, the reference color information setting unit 48 stores a data table in which both the reference image and the reference color information are recorded in correspondence. FIG. 29 shows an example of a data table stored by the reference color information setting unit 48 . In FIG. 29 , reference color information (hue H, chroma S) used for focus follow when a reference image is selected corresponds to the reference image. The reference color information setting unit 48 refers to the data table during focus follow imaging processing, and selects reference color information corresponding to a reference image selected by the user as reference color information used during focus follow.

FIG. 30 is a schematic diagram of a display unit showing an object to be captured, an area frame, and reference images 1 and 2 in Embodiment 5 of the present invention, showing an example in which 7×7 area frames are displayed on the object to be captured P2. In the case of using the menu button 19d and the determination button 19c to set the mode of the reference color information, the process starts from the start of the reference color information setting process in FIG. Referring to the color information calculated by the information setting unit 48, the process proceeds to step S201 in FIG. 27 .

In step S201, it is in a waiting state for selecting and inputting one of the image in the frame of the area B1 shown in FIG. 30 and the image in the entire screen as a reference image to be recorded. Here, the user selects an image displayed within the entire screen. When an image displayed on the entire screen as shown in FIG. 30 is selected, the process proceeds to step S203.

In step S203 , the image signal in the entire screen of the display unit 17 is stored in the image memory 16 as a reference image signal, and the reference image is displayed on the display unit 17 as shown in FIG. 30 . In addition, in this step, the reference image signal is stored in correspondence with the reference color information stored in step S104 shown in FIG. 3 (here, the color information of area B1).

The example in FIG. 30 shows a case where the image displayed in the area A1 in FIG. 28 is recorded as a reference image, and then the image displayed on the entire screen is recorded as a reference image. As shown in FIG. 30 , the newly recorded reference image 2 is displayed on the lower side of the display unit 17 as the reference image 2 together with the previously recorded reference image 1 . Then, the reference color information setting process ends.

Furthermore, the edge extraction of the captured object may be performed, and the area selected as the reference image (in this case, the hat part of the captured object P2) may be painted with the corresponding color information, or it may be formed so that only the color of the selected area is retained. information. Also, the color information of the selected area can be displayed individually as a reference image.

Fig. 31 is a flow chart of the operation of focus-following imaging processing in Embodiment 5 of the present invention. Fig. 32 is a schematic diagram of a display unit showing an object to be captured, an area frame, and reference images 1 to 3 in Embodiment 5 of the present invention. Focus follow imaging processing of the imaging device according to Embodiment 5 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 31 and 32 .

The work flow chart shown in FIG. 31 shows the flow of programs that work on the system controller 80 . The following describes the workflow of the focus-following imaging process of the imaging device according to Embodiment 5 as an example in which steps S211 to S213 are added to the workflow of the focus-following imaging process described in Embodiment 1 (FIG. 10). The description of parts that overlap with the processing described in Embodiment 1 will be omitted. In addition, this work flow chart also shows the flow of programs operating on the system controller 80 . As in Embodiment 1, when the user presses the shutter button 19a halfway, focus follow imaging processing can be started.

In step S151 in FIG. 10 , the image signal captured by the CCD 14 and subjected to predetermined image processing by the image processing unit 57 is displayed on the display unit 17 together with the area frame. A display example of the display unit 17 at this time is shown in FIG. 32 . As shown in FIG. 32 , on the lower side of the display unit 17 , an imaging target P2 , 21×13 area frames, and seven reference image display frames 1 to 7 for displaying reference images are displayed. In FIG. 32 , reference images are displayed in three reference image display frames 1 to 3 (regions C1 to C3 ) among the seven reference image display frames.

In step S211, it is judged whether there is one reference image recorded. When there are a plurality of reference images to be recorded, the process proceeds to the next step S212. On the other hand, when the number of reference images to be recorded is one, it means that the reference color information setting unit 48 stores one reference color information. In this case, the reference color information setting unit 48 does not need to select reference color information from a plurality of candidates, so the process proceeds to step S152.

In step S212, it waits for an input of whether a reference image is selected. The user selects a reference image desired to focus follow from among a plurality of displayed reference images. In the example shown in FIG. 32 , one of the three reference images 1 to 3 that have been recorded and displayed as reference images is selected. Here, it is set that the user selects the reference image 2 displayed in the area C2. When selecting a reference image from multiple candidates, the selected reference image display frame may be thickened or highlighted, so that the user can understand the currently selected reference image. Once the user selects a reference image, the process proceeds to the next step S213.

In step S213, the reference color information to be followed by focus is selected. The reference color information setting unit 48 calculates the reference nearby area by using one of the methods described in previous FIG. 8 and FIG. 34 Whether the output color information of each area is in the reference nearby area. If there is an area having color information close to the reference color information, the process proceeds to step S153. If it does not exist, the process proceeds to step S158.

In the example shown in FIG. 32, in the processing after step S152, the area matching the reference color information is determined to be area B2, and the processing is performed in the order of steps S152, S153, S156, S157, S160, and S161. Specifically, the defocus amount is calculated in the area B2, and the focus lens group 13 is driven in the A direction or the B direction of FIG. Thereafter, the focus information calculation unit 32 calculates the focus position (focus position) with the highest contrast value in the area B2 based on the focus position and the contrast signal generated from the image signal, and outputs a control signal to the lens position control unit 33 .

In this way, with the imaging device according to Embodiment 5, it is possible to record and select color information of a plurality of ingestion objects that the user wants to ingest frequently, so it is not necessary to record the ingestion object that the user wants to ingest every time the ingestion object is changed. color information. Therefore, it is only necessary for the user to select the color information of a desired object to be captured at the time of shooting, so that a user-friendly focus-following imaging function can be realized.

Furthermore, by storing the reference image signal in the nonvolatile storage area of the image memory 16 and recording it as a reference image signal, the recorded reference image can be saved regardless of whether the power of the imaging device main body is turned on or off. Furthermore, the recorded reference image may be erased according to a user's instruction, or may be stored in a volatile storage area that operates by a secondary power supply or the like instead of being stored in a non-volatile storage area. Furthermore, when the reference image signal is stored in the volatile storage area, even if the recorded reference image information is erased when the power is turned off, it can be operated by recording the reference image signal again when the power is turned on again. Furthermore, display/non-display of the reference image may be switched according to a user's instruction.

Also, when factory adjustments are made to the imaging device, a plurality of representative color information may be recorded as default values, and the user may select desired color information, or the default value may be deleted, and the user may record new color information. Moreover, the case where the reference color information and the data table are stored in the reference color information setting part, and the reference image signal is stored in the image memory is used as an example to illustrate, but the storage areas of the reference color information, data table, and reference image signal are not limited to this.

The imaging device of each embodiment is not limited to a specific correspondence, and can be appropriately changed. For example, the imaging device of each embodiment has been described as an example of a digital still camera in which a user operates a shutter button to obtain a still image, but it can also be applied to a case where the image capture button is operated continuously at a predetermined timing. A digital video camera that acquires images. In this case, focus follow can be performed even if the captured subject moves. Furthermore, the imaging device of each embodiment can also be used for a surveillance camera, a vehicle-mounted camera, and a network camera. In this case, it may be difficult for the user to operate the shutter button, but the shutter button may be operated automatically at a predetermined timing, or remotely operated.

Furthermore, the imaging devices of the respective embodiments are examples each having a system controller, but they can also be applied to an imaging system formed by replacing the control CPU of a personal computer or a mobile phone terminal. In addition, the components can be combined arbitrarily. For example, examples of a system in which the photographing optical system, imaging element, and other configurations are physically separated, and examples in which the imaging optical system, imaging element, image processing unit, and other configurations are physically separated are also conceivable. Various combinations such as system examples.

In addition, the imaging device of each embodiment is mainly described as a device that has the function of following the captured object by using the color information as reference information, but instead of using the color information alone, the brightness value of the captured object, Contrast, level, and color information are combined and used as reference information. Furthermore, pattern information characterized by high-frequency components of the subject to be captured using wavelet transform or discrete cosine (DCT) or the like may be added to the reference information. In this way, not only color information matching but also level and pattern matching can be performed, so that the performance of following a subject desired by the user can be further improved.

Furthermore, in the imaging device of each embodiment, the timing of extracting the reference color information may be at any timing before and after white balance correction, before and after R, G, and B gain correction, or after gamma correction.

In addition, in the above, the display unit in the imaging device of each embodiment is described as an example in which the area frame is divided into 7×7 and displayed. However, regardless of the number of divisions, the division may be finer or the division may be relatively large. thick. In addition, the number of divisions can be arbitrarily set by the user by operating the menu button, or a plurality of area frames can be selected from preset area frames and set as one area frame.

The imaging device may also be configured in such a way that the main body of the imaging device and the imaging optical part including the imaging optical system are separable like so-called single-lens reflex camera systems. In this case, the imaging device main body includes an imaging element, an image division unit, a color information calculation unit, a reference color information setting unit, an area selection unit, and a focus information calculation unit. However, the lens drive unit may be located on the side of the main body of the imaging device, or may be located on the side of the imaging optical unit.

When the lens driving unit is on the side of the imaging optical unit, the lens driving unit is operated by an electronic command based on serial communication or the like from the system controller of the main body of the imaging device to the lens driving unit of the imaging optical unit to move the focus lens control. Furthermore, when the lens drive unit is on the side of the main body of the imaging device, the lens driving unit of the main body of the imaging device and the focus lens, which is movable in the direction of the optical axis, are directly or indirectly moved in the direction of the optical axis by a mechanical connection. Combining with moving mechanism, etc., the focus lens can be moved and controlled. Mechanisms for indirect movement control of the focus lens in the optical axis direction include, for example, a cam, a reduction mechanism, a mechanism for converting rotational drive to linear drive, and the like.

Industrial Applicability

The invention is suitable for photographing devices such as digital still life cameras and digital video cameras.

Although the present invention has been described in detail above, the above description is only a demonstration of the present invention in all respects, and is not intended to limit its protection scope. Needless to say, various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims (14)

1. a camera head is exported the electrical picture signal that absorbs object, it is characterized in that,

Comprise:

Comprise and regulate the image pickup optical system that focus lens group that focus uses forms the optical image of described picked-up object;

Absorb the optical image of described picked-up object, be transformed to the imaging apparatus of described electrical picture signal;

Described picture signal is cut apart image segmentation portion for a plurality of zones;

Each described zone is calculated the look information calculations portion of look information respectively according to described picture signal;

Preestablish the reference color information setting portion of reference color information;

The comparative result of each the described look information that is calculated according to described reference color information and described look information calculations portion is selected the regional selection portion at least one zone in each described zone;

Selected described zone is calculated the focusing information calculations portion of the focusing information of described image pickup optical system; And

On optical axis direction, drive the lens drive division of described focus lens group according to described focusing information,

Described look information and described reference color information are by the information that relates to tone and relate in the information of colourity at least a information and form.

2. camera head as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, described reference color information is described look information calculations portion according to the picture signal of picked-up in advance, the look information that the desired zone that described image segmentation portion is cut apart calculates.

3. camera head as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, comprises image processing part, and this image processing part comprises the correction portion according to the picture signal of the described imaging apparatus output of described reference color information correction,

Described focusing information calculations portion calculates described focusing information according to corrected described picture signal.

4. camera head as claimed in claim 3 is characterized in that, described correction portion is carried out and the different correction of picture signal that is used to show purposes or storage purposes the picture signal of described imaging apparatus output.

5. camera head as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that,

Described look information calculations portion calculates brightness with regard to each described zone respectively according to described picture signal, also comprises simultaneously:

Judge that the described brightness that calculates is whether greater than the brightness detection unit of setting; And

Forbid that described regional selection portion selects brightness that described brightness detection unit the calculated selection prohibition unit greater than the zone of setting.

6. camera head as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that,

Also comprise when described lens drive division drives described focus lens group secondary light source to described picked-up object projection fill-in light,

Described look information calculations portion is according to the described described look information that calculates of the color correct of described fill-in light.

7. camera head as claimed in claim 2 is characterized in that,

Comprise the display part of demonstration based on the image of described picture signal,

Also comprise described selected zone,, revise the appointed area colour correction handling part of the color of the described picture signal that described display part should show according to described reference color information.

8. camera head as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, also comprises the information storage part of storing a plurality of reference color information.

9. camera head as claimed in claim 8 is characterized in that, also comprises the display part of a plurality of reference color information that show described information storage part storage.

10. camera head as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that, also comprises the information storage part of a plurality of reference color information of storage and the picture signal that is used to show the image relevant with this reference color information.

11. camera head as claimed in claim 10 is characterized in that, also comprises the display part of at least one side in the image of the described picture signal that demonstration is stored based on described information storage part and the described a plurality of reference color information.

12. camera head as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that,

Described camera head is separable to be camera head main body and shooting optic,

Described shooting optic comprises described image pickup optical system,

Described camera head main body comprises described imaging apparatus, described image segmentation portion, described look information calculations portion, described reference color information setting portion, described regional selection portion, described focusing information calculations portion and lens drive division.

13. camera head as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that,

Described camera head is separable to be camera head main body and shooting optic,

Described shooting optic comprises described image pickup optical system and lens drive division,

Described camera head main body comprises described imaging apparatus, described image segmentation portion, described look information calculations portion, described reference color information setting portion, described regional selection portion and described focusing information calculations portion.

14. SIC (semiconductor integrated circuit), be used for the described camera head of claim 1, it is characterized in that, make described image segmentation portion, described look information calculations portion, described reference color information setting portion, described regional selection portion and the work of described focusing information calculations portion at least.

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